The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-03-12
t H E
EUROPEAN POLITICS.

The news which We published on Thurs
day must satisfy any intelligent OBJ
server that Europe is on the verge of a
general war. The number of trained
soldiers under arms, and the weapons
of destruction at their command will in
all likelihood render the strife one of the
blOOdiest and most destructive that has
ever occurred, and should put an end
to war for many years to come through
the exhaustion of the combatants. The
only redeeming feature that we can see
VI i'll be that the struggle must be short
one. European wars have gradually be-
come as much matter of months and
weeks as they were formerly of years,
and the improvements in the effective
ne IS OF engines of destruction since the
Ia st war between Russia and Turkey
have been so great that one or two
engagements will probably decide
the issue of military supremacy
As the crisis approaches diplomacy
appears to be more guarded, while the
Press is used as a foil. Russia, for ex-
ample, through its semi-official news
papers, gives it very plainly to be I'M
derstOOd that it will not see France
crushed by Germany. The German
press, on the other hand, declares that
Germany is not interested in the Balkan
question, and would not intervene to
prevent Russia carrying out it's policy
in South Eastern Europe The point OF
these declarations is plain enough they
suggest paramount interests upon which
the two Empires may come to a mutual
understanding in the event of Russia
engaging Austria and Germany fighting
France. These are unofficial utterances, |
but they are inspired" utterances
nevertheless. In other words, they are |
feelers thrown out by the Government |
on either side, to be acted upon or |
dropped as policy may suggest. But
they also unequivocally point to set |
tied policy on the part of Germany and |
Russia with regard to France and the |
Balkan States.
Italy has adopted a similar plan to |
indicate its policy since the German |
elections. The Italian press states that
it approves of the English foreign policy |
and is interested in the progress of |
Austria in South Eastern Europe. In
other words, the Italian Government |
will make common cause with England |
and Austria against Russian encroach-
ments in the Balkan States, and aid
At1St f1 on tho C,1If of
Salonica in consideration of a transfer
of the Italian provinces by the Haps-
burgs to the Government at Quirinal
This is at once a consistent and d safe
policy for Italy to pursue, and one
which would not bring it into col
ision with its old Prussian ally The
combined British and Italian fleets could
sweep the high seas, and as the PENN
Sular Power can place GOO, 900 men in
the field within month, fully equipped
Tor campaigning, its land forces are by
10 means to be despised. AS matter
IF fact, the Italian army, including re-
serves, is numerically as strong as any
n Europe and is quite as well organ
zed.
Austria, like France, is just now in
passive attitude. Every effort is being
,ut forth to prepare for the impending
struggle. The Berlin Government keens
m good terms with Vienna, despite its
uspicion of the foreign policy of Buda-
'esth, because when the thunderbolt of
var falls Russia may be hostile, and an
'lliance or understanding with Austria
night be essential to hold the Car in
heck. France is probably as well pre-
AIRED for war as it ever will be, and has
learly the numerical advantage over its
reat rival; but the loss of its strategic
ontier more than offsets any advantage s
{ numbers. The recent elections give 9
ne Imperial Government absolute con- t
-ol of the German army for seven years c
come, and steps will be taken to in
-ease its effective strength.
In considering these combination
1thing is I'D of the two Powers Of the f
,erian peninsula-Spain and Portugal. n
lelr geographical position takes them c
t of the probable field of operations. a
ain, however, has ambition to become L